ZB1 from Mnet's Boys Planet to debut this year

Project boy group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) / Captured from Twitter

By Dong Sun-hwa

ZEROBASEONE (ZB1), a new project boy group formed on cable channel Mnet's audition program, “Boys Planet,” will arrive on the K-pop scene this year, according to its management company, WAKEONE. But the company has not yet revealed the exact debut date.

Prior to its official debut, the nonet will perform at KCON JAPAN 2023 in Chiba, Japan, on May 13-14. Established in 2012, KCON is the world's largest K-pop and culture convention organized by entertainment behemoth CJ ENM. CJ is also the operator of Mnet.

ZB1 consists of the nine winners from “Boys Planet” that wrapped up Thursday. The members are: Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin. ZB1 will be active for two and a half years.

“People from 184 countries and regions cast 9.4 million votes in the final stage to pick the ZB1 members,” WAKEONE said in a statement.

All nine members wrote hand-written letters to their fans to show their appreciation, which were shared on Twitter, Saturday.

“I have always imagined what it would feel like to make a debut,” Kim Gyu-vin wrote. “I still cannot believe that I am debuting. Thank you and I love you.”

Han Yu-jin said, “I want to repay the love and support that I have received. I would work really hard.”